BCU Franciscans to offer retreat for women

By RENEE WEBB, Globe editor
July 8, 2004

Sinner, Saint or Mystic? is the theme of the women's retreat to be held at Briar Cliff University in Sioux City on Aug. 7 and 8. Sponsored by the Franciscan Sisters at the university, the retreat will center on the life of St. Francis of Assisi and touch upon the life of St. Clare.

According to Sister Michaela Galles, one of the Franciscan sisters who is organizing the retreat, this will be the seventh retreat in eight years that was sponsored by the university. However, this is not a new concept for the sisters from BCU as retreats designed specifically for women in the area were a tradition in the 1940s and 1950s.

Sister Michaela pointed out that it was her fellow educator, Sister Grace Ann Witte, who in the mid-1990s was the driving force in restarting the retreats.

"Her thought was that this is something that women in the area had responded to in the past, so why not see if a new generation of women would respond to it," said Sister Michaela.

The women have been pleased with response to the retreats, which have drawn from 25 to 50 women.

This year's retreat will be facilitated by Sister Margaret Jungers, OSF. She is experienced in adult spiritual formation and parish renewal. A former teacher, religious educator and pastoral minister, she is now the director of the Shalom Retreat Center in Dubuque.

Sister Margaret described the retreat as an opportunity for participants to reflect upon - through the lens of Saint Francis of Assisi and Saint Clare - "the uniqueness of their own spiritual journeys. Are we sinners, saints or mystics? Or maybe all three?"

Raised in Hospers, Sister Margaret graduated from Spalding High School in Granville. She received her bachelor's degree from Loras College and her master's in education from Boston College. She has also done postgraduate studies in Franciscanism in London. She was also president of the Franciscan community in Dubuque for eight years.

Sister Margaret has noted that while people call St. Francis a saint and know him to be a mystic, he calls himself a sinner. A mystic is someone who has a deep and spiritual relationship with God beyond the ordinary.

"She will help us look at these three descriptions and look at what they mean in our lives. We are all sinners. Do we have any capacity for sainthood or to be mystics?" noted Sister Michaela.

During the retreat, Sister Margaret will make five presentations. One will look at Francis' life of prayer.

"She said that he was a flamboyant Italian with an outgoing personality. I've noticed that many of the adjectives he uses in prayer are big," said Sister Michaela. "Sister Margaret said that his knowledge of God came from his being a mystic, in his ability to enter into deep contemplation and relationship with God. Mystics are able to diminish the barriers that keep us from knowing God."

Sister Margaret will also look at the human side of Francis, touching upon his struggles and gifts.

The retreat facilitator is also expected to address what it means to be a Franciscan. She has said that in today's society that is focused on materialism and consumerism, it is hard for people to say no to their culture.

"Francis was able to say no to his culture. In saying no, he made room for God in his life. That is what Sister Margaret will invite people to do as well," explained Sister Michaela.

The retreat leader will also look at St. Francis as a saint, someone who holds some values in such a way that grabs the attention of the world.

"For instance, I see Mother Teresa's value of human life so strong that she didn't want anyone to die unattended. That is what her sisters are all about, being with dying people. She held that up so high, that it caught other people's attention. I would say that Francis' values would be poverty and simplicity. They are able to show these values so strongly that other people notice it," said Sister Michaela.

Sister Margaret will also address the evangelical life of St. Francis. The saint didn't merely work on his own, he invited others to join him.

In addition to the sessions offered by Sister Margaret, those who attend the retreat will have time for private prayer and reflection after each conference. On Saturday afternoon the women will have several options. They may take a canticle walk, visit Queen of Peace, watch assorted videos about the life of St. Francis or take part in the sacrament of reconciliation.

The women will take part in 5 p.m. vespers at the BC chapel. They will also come together for worship with 9 a.m. Mass on Sunday. The retreat will conclude with a 2 p.m. closing prayer.

In previous years, Sister Michaela mentioned that women in a range of ages - from young adults to senior citizens - have participated in the retreat. Even women religious have attended the women's retreat at BCU in the past and found it to be beneficial.

"Women find the setting at Briar Cliff to be relaxing and beautiful. The conferences have always been well received and people have expressed positive comments in the evaluations," she said.

Cost of the retreat is $40 which includes lunch and dinner on Saturday and brunch on Sunday. Housing is available for Saturday night on the BC campus at $20 for a single room or $11 per person for a double.

Women of all faiths are welcome to attend the retreat. They are asked to pre-register by July 23. Contact Sister Grace Ann Witte at (712) 279-5488 for more information.